What It Takes To Become An HVAC Professional

With a tricky economy many men and women throughout the U.S. are seeking jobs that can be considered recession proof. What plenty of people don’t know is that one career that’s appeared to be recession proof has been in the HVAC industry. Regardless of the frustrating economy, most people want or need their HVAC systems fixed. Companies are willing to invest the cash to get a fully functioning HVAC system and several states require that their systems be checked out each month. Only HVAC technicians can ensure the systems function as they should. So, just how does someone get into the HVAC field? This information is designed to address the qualifications that it takes to go in the HVAC industry.

With a tricky economy many men and women throughout the U.S. are seeking jobs that can be considered recession proof. What plenty of people don’t know is that one career that’s appeared to be recession proof has been in the HVAC industry. Regardless of the frustrating economy, most people want or need their HVAC systems fixed. Companies are willing to invest the cash to get a fully functioning HVAC system and several states require that their systems be checked out each month. Only HVAC technicians can ensure the systems function as they should. So, just how does someone get into the HVAC field? This information is designed to address the qualifications that it takes to go in the HVAC industry.

First, it’s essential you have your high school diploma or GED. Many organizations require that of their HVAC technicians since they have to read blueprints as well as other diagrams. In addition to that they must be competent at reading technical manuals and passing government regulated certification tests. It is actually nearly impossible to find a HVAC training school or apprenticeship program that will accept a student or trainee without their diploma. Many people postpone getting their GED merely to recognize that many opportunities are passing them by. It is very important to have your diploma or GED within the HVAC industry.

Next, certified HVAC training is important. This might come in plenty of forms. Nearly all students choose to attend their local community college. There the tuition rates could be the most cost-effective and they’ve got one of two options for receiving their HVAC training, through either an Associate’s degree program which will take 2 years and a certification program which may take as little as two semesters or half a year. The majority of HVAC technicians tend to take the certification route as most are looking for taking HVAC specific courses instead of general education courses. Additionally, taking the certification route makes it possible for the student to graduate a lot quicker and enter the HVAC field.

Another way that a student can take is going through the technical school. These types of schools have a great focus on the modules that they teach and usually a low student to teacher ratio which often means significantly better training. This particular type of training usually takes anywhere from 6 months to 15 months. One of the benefits of studying through the technical school is flexibility. Some working professionals cannot afford to quit their careers and go to school for their HVAC certification, to help the technical school normally will offer part time courses at night. The one drawback to this approach is that it can take longer to complete, generally two years. The major drawback that students face when taking their HVAC training through a technical school is they have a tendency to cost more compared to a college. The technical school exists for the only purpose of training HVAC, therefore the materials they use to instruct students as well as the salaries will have to be paid for by the student’s tuition. The top end of institutions charge about $20,000 for the program, quite a few schools provide you with training for as little as $9,000. Most technical schools will have either payment plans or financial aid offered to students.

Apprenticeship programs aren’t as popular as they were in the past. In the past, an apprentice could enter the HVAC business and work with a skilled HVAC professional side-by-side while taking classes on certain days to get their HVAC certification. The programs took at least 2 years to complete, mainly due to state legislation requiring students possess a specified number of hours in both a classroom environment and a physical setting. The benefit to this way of training was that the apprentice or student could enter in the HVAC line of work quickly and get started receiving a salary. Nevertheless, the paycheck that they might earn would be at a far lower rate than if they already had their HVAC certification. Furthermore, the paperwork demands from the state governments made it a lot less appealing for employers to take on apprentices due to the paperwork and often impractical training requirements.

A different type of training is one in which a number of other forms of training are evolving to and that is online HVAC training. Here the student gets all training via the internet. Programs in electrical safety, hydronics, and refrigeration units are all put out via the web. The student has the ability to take the training at their own schedule which may make for a greater learning environment. The obvious pitfall to this process of training is total lack of hands on training available.

Finally, to become an HVAC technician it’s very important to have a driver’s license and a clean driving record. This is a requirement that is not commonly known. HVAC service providers own vehicles (typically vans) which are outfitted with all the equipment and spare parts the technician will need. The vehicles are issued to the technician to drive to their calls. The company must insure these vehicles and having experts with unfavorable driving records will increase the expense of insurance. Service providers will not hire techs with negative driving records.

The earlier mentioned three things: high school diploma or GED, HVAC certification and a good driving record are what companies are searching for when deciding on their HVAC technicians. It is quite possible to get hired without any of the three however the chances of employment drop when this is the case. Doing work in HVAC is a career and only qualified prospects are able to work in this line of business.

Looking to find the best source of information on HVAC training, or to find the best advice on getting your HVAC certification joining the HVAC workforce today!.